Washing machine overflow control unit



May 28, 1963 P. B. cRusl-z ErAL 3,091,111

WASHING MACHINE ovERFLow CONTROL UNIT Unite Calif.

Filed Aug. 20, 1962, Ser. No. 217,920 7 Claims. (Cl. tis-208) Thepresent invention relates to control units for use with domesticappliances, such as washing machines; and it relates more particularlyto an improved control unit lfor use with an `electric washing machinewhich responds to an overflow condition in the drainage systemassociated therewith.

Domestic washing machines are presently in widespread use in the homesand other dwellings across the country. Most present-day washingmachines are of the automatic type which automatically cycle throughvarious operations until the clothes are completely washed, rinsed andpartially dried.

The usual automatic washing machine is coupled to pressurized hot andcold Iwater lines, and it usually includes a drain tube through whichthe dirty water is pumped from the machine. The drain tube from thewashing machine is usually inserted in a stand-pipe which, in turn, iscoupled to the household drainage system.

The normal procedure is for the housewife to place a load of laundry inthe washing machine, and to set the machine and leave it unattended. Themachine then automatically cycles through its various operations, andwhen the wash is completed, the machine turns itself off.

Problems have arisen, however, in that should the household drainagesystem become plugged for any reason, the stand-pipe will overilow. Alarge amount of water is used in the typical automatic washing machine,and in the event of overflow, sufficient water is pumped out of lthemachine to dood through the household and produce considerable damage.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved controlunit for `detecting abnormal rises in the water level in the stand-pipe,and which responds to such rises to turn off the electric power to thewashing machine and/or to sound an appropriate audible alarm.

Another object is to provide such an improved control unit which isrelatively simple and inexpensive to `construct, and which can be easilyinstalled into existing washer/ stand-pipe combinations.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent froma consideration of the following description, when the description istaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE l is a diagrammatic representation of a washing machine andstand-pipe combination, and which includes a control unit constructed inaccordance with the invention for de-activating the washing machine uponan abnormal rise of water level in the stand-pipe;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged View of the control unit of the inventionmounted on the stand-pipe of FIGURE l, the view being taken along theline 2-2 of KFIGURE l; and

FIGURE 3 is an electric circuit diagram of the system of the invention.

The representation of FIGURE 1 includes a usual automatic washingmachine 10. This washing machine may be of any known type, and it iscapable, for example, of automatically washing clothes in the mannerdescribed above.

The washing machine is provided with an electrical cord 12 whichnormally is plugged into the electrical energizing outlet of thehousehold in which the washing machine is installed. The washing machine10 also in- 3,69 l ,l ll Patented May 28, 1963 "ice cludes a drain tube,or hose, 14 through which the dirty water from the washing machinedrains, as the machine progresses from cycle to cycle during itsautomatic washing operations.

Tlhe drain tube 14 is inserted in a Vertical stand-pipe 16. Thestand-pipe 16 is supported, for example, on a usual trap 18, which, inturn, is coupled to the drainage system 20 of the household.

During normal operation of the washing machine 10, and when the electriccord 12 is plugged into the usual electrical outlet, the washing machineproceeds with its washing operations, as explained above. However, inthe event that the trap 18, or the ldrainage system 20, becomes plugged,the large amount of water used by the washing machine 10 quicklyproduces an overflow condition in the stand-pipe 16. .As mentionedabove, the quantity of water which is caused to overflow from thestand-pipe when such a condition exists, is sufficient to roduceconsiderable ood damage to the dwelling in which the washing machine isused.

The present invention includes a control unit 22 which is mounted at aparticular level on the stand-pipe 16. A mounting or clamping ring, orstrap, 24 is axed to the housing of the unit 22, and this strap extendsaround the stand-pipe, as best shown in FIGURE 2. The clamping ring 24is clamped tightly around the stand-pipe by means, for example, of ascrew 26 which is threaded into the ends of the ring.

The housing of the control unit 22 includes a receptacle 25. Theelectric cord 12 for the washing machine 10, instead of being pluggeddirectly in the electrical outlet 2S is plugged into the receptacle 26of the control unit 22. The control unit, itself, has an energizing cord30 which has a plug 31; the plug being plugged into the outlet 28.

The control unit 22 includes a pressure responsive electric switch 32. Atubular inlet member 34 is mounted on the housing of the control unit22. This tubular inlet member 34 extends through an aperture in thestand-pipe 16 into the interior of the stand-pipe, as best shown inFlGURE 2. The pressure switch 32 is mounted adjacent the inner end ofthe inlet member 34, and the pressure switch includes a diaphragm whichis actuated to actuate the switch, when the water pressure in the inletmember 34 is in excess of a particular predetermined pressure. Anappropriate sea-ling gasket 35 is inserted between the inlet member 34and the wall of the stand-pipe 16 to provide a pressure seal between theinlet member and the wall.

The pressure responsive electric switch 32 includes a pair of normallyclosed contacts 32u (FIGURE 3) which are caused to open when thepressure in the inlet tube 34 exceeds the predetermined pressure. Thepressure switch may also include a pair of normally open contacts 32hwhich close when the pressure in the inlet tube 34 exceeds thepredetermined pressure.

The electric energizing cord 30 may be a three lead type, and one of theleads is grounded by the circuitry of FIGURE 3. One of the remainingleads of the cord 30 is connected by the circuitry of FIGURE 3 to aterminal of the receptacle 26, and the other remaining lead is connectedby the circuitry through the normally closed contact 32a to a secondterminal of the receptacle 26. The receptacle 26 may include a thirdterminal which is grounded by the circuitry of FIGURE 3.

The leads of the cord 30 may also be connected to an electric alarm unit38 by the circuitry of FIGURE 3, with the contacts 32h being in seriescircuit therewith. As mentioned above, the electrical cord 12 .of thewashing machine is plugged into the receptacle 26.

Under normal operation of the washing machine of FIGURE l, the contacts32a of the pressure responsive switch 32 are closed, and the contacts3212 'are open. Therefore, the washing machine is energized through theever, should a stoppage occuriin the drainage system, such that thewater level in the stand-pipe 16 rises-above the level ofthe controlunit 22, the resulting increase in Water pressure in the tubular member34 causes the pressure responsive switch 32 to be actuated.

This actuation ofY the-pressure responsive switch 32 causes the contacts32a to open. These contacts remain open so long as the stoppagecondition exists, so as to de-energize the washing machine and itsdrainage pump. Should the stoppage condition correct itself, thecontacts 32a will close automatically, and the washing machine willagain be energized.

If so desired, the circuit of the alarm 38 m-ay be ineluded, so that thecontacts 32h will close at the same time that the contacts 32a are open.This causes the alarm 38 to be actuated, so that the householder is madeaware of the abnormal condition.

Y'Ihe invention provides, therefore, .a simple and inexpensive controlunit. As mentioned above, the control unit mayY be easily installed inexisting washer-standpipe combinations. When so installed, the controlunit of the invention serves immediately to de-energize the washer,should a stoppage condition occur in the drainage system.

The -use of the present invention serves to prevent costly damage due tofloods which often occur, when a stoppage condition in the drainagesystem arises. While a particular embodiment of the invention has beenshown and described, modifications may be made, and it is intended inthe claims to cover such modilications as tall within the spirit andscope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A control unit -for use with a stand-pipe drain and washing machinecombination, the Washing machine hav- 4ing a `drain tube to be insertedin the stand-pipe to discharge Water into said stand-pipe under controlof electric circuitry in said washing machine and fur-ther having anelectrical energizing cord for supplying electric current to saidelectric circuitry, said control unit including: a housing; astand-pipe; a tubular inlet member mounted on said housing and adaptedto extend -through an aperture in the side of the stand-pipe and intothe interior of the stand-pipe; a pressure responsive electric switchmounted in said housing adjacent said inlet member to be actuated `by awater pressure in said inlet member in excess of a predeterminedpressure; and circuitry in said housing for connecting said pressureresponsive electric switch in series circuit between the electricalenergizing cord of the washing machine and a source of electrical energyso as to establish an electric connection .to said electric circuitry inthe washing machine adapted to be interrupted in the presence of a waterpressure in said inlet member in excess of said predetermined pressureand cutV off the water dischanged into said standapipe by said draintube. l*

2. A control unit for use with a stand-pipe drain and electric washingmachine combination, the washing machine having a drain tube adapted tobe insertedV in the stand-pipe to discharge Water into said stand-pipeunder ycontrolof electric circuitry in said washing machine and vfurtherhaving an electrical energizing .cord for supplying an electric currentto said circuitry, said control unit including: a housing; a mountingstrap axed to said housing and adapted to be clamped around thestand-pipe to mou-nt the control unit on the stand-pipe; a tubular inletmember mounted Aon said housing and adapted to extend through anaperture in the side of the stand-pipe -and into the interior of thestand-pipe; a pressure responsive electric switch mounted in saidhousing adjacent said inlet member to be actuated by a water pressure insaid inlet member -in excess lof a predetermined pressure; electricalconnecting means extending from the Yhousing and-adaptedto. be connectedto a sourcegof elec- 4 trical energy; receptacle means on the housingfor receiving the electrical energizing cord of the washing machine; andelectrical connections in the housing for connectng said electricalconnecting means Ito said receptacle means .and to said pressureresponsive electric switch so as to supply energizing current .to saidVelectric circuitry in the washing machine ladapted to be interrupted inthe presence of a water pressure in said inlet member in excess fof saidpredetermined pressure and cut oft the water discharge into saidstand-pipe by said drain tube. 3. The control unit of claim'2 and whichincludes an electrically activated alarm connected to said electricswitch to be energized upon such actuation of said electric switch.

4. In combination: a stand-.pipe drain; an electric wash-Y coupled tosaid pressure responsive means to be actuated thereby; and electrical4connections vconnecting said electric switching means in `seriescircuit between said electric circuitry in the electric washing machineand a source of electrical energy so as to supply an electrical currentto said electric circuitry in the washing machine to be interrupted inthe presence of a water lever in said standpipe exceeding saidpredetermined level land cut ott the water discharge into saidstand-pipe by said kdrain tube.

5. In combination: a stand-pipe drain; an electric washing machinehaving a drain tube adapted to be inserted in the standpipe todischarger water into said stand-pipe under control of electriccircuitry in said washing machine land having an electrical energizingcord'for supplying au electric current to said electric circuitry; acontrol unit including ya pressure responsive electric switch mounted onsaid stand-pipe; a tubular inlet member mounted on said control unitadjacent said switch and Vextending throughran aperture in the side .ofthe drain pipe and into :the interior of the drain pipe, Vs-aidswitchbeingactuated by .a water pressure in said inlet member in excess of apredetermined pressure; and electric circuitry in said control nuit forconnecting said electric switch in series circuit between the enengizingcord of the Washing machine and a source of electrical energy so as to'supply an electric current to said electric circuitry in the washingYmachine to be interrupted by a water level rise in said stand-pipeabove a predetermined level and cut oft the Water discharged into saidstand-pipe by said drain tube.

6. In combination: a stand-pipe drain; an electric washing machinehaving a drain tube adapted to be inserted in the stand-pipe todischarge water into said stand-pipe under control of electric circuitryin said washing Vmachine and having an electrical energizing cord forsupply-V Y ing electric current to said electric circuitry; a controlunit including a housing mounted on saidVstand-pipe; a tubular inletmember mounted on said housing and adapted to extend through an aperturein the side of the v stand-pipe and into the `interior of thestand-pipe; VaV

housing for receiving the electrical energizing'cord of Y the washingmachine; and connections in said housing for connecting said electricalconnecting means to said receptacle means and to said pressureresponsive elec- .tric switch so las to supply an electricncurrent tosaid electric circuitry in the washing machine adapted to be,interrupted in the presence of a water Ilevel rise in said standpipeabove a predetermined devel and cut off the water discharged into said'stand-pipe by .said drain ltube.

7. The combination of claim 6 and which includes an electricallyactivated alarm connected to said connections -in said housing to beenengized upon the interrup- 5 tion of said electric circuit to theWashing machine.

6 References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSBurleigh et tal. July 31, 1923 Jarund Aug, 31, 1954 Dolenga Mar. 24,1959 Galik Apr. 24, 1962

4. IN COMBINATION: A STAND-PIPE DRAIN; AN ELECTRIC WASHING MACHINEHAVING A DRAIN TUBE ADAPTED TO BE INSERTED IN THE STAND-PIPE TODISCHARGE WATER INTO SAID STAND-PIPE UNDER CONTROL OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITRYIN SAID SAID WASHING MACHINE; PRESSURE RESPONSIVE MEANS MOUNTED ON SAIDSTANDPIPE TO BE ACTUATED UPON A WATER LEVEL RISE IN SAID STANDPIPE ABOVEA PREDETERMINED LEVEL; ELECTRIC SWITCHING MEANS COUPLED TO SAID PRESSURERESPONSIVE MEANS TO BE ACTUATED THEREBY; AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONSCONNECTING SAID ELECTRIC SWITCHING MEANS IN SERIES CIRCUIT BETEWEEN SAIDELECTRIC CIRCUITRY IN THE ELECTRIC WASHING MACHINE AND A SOURCE OFELECTRICAL ENERGY SO AS TO SUPPLY AN ELECTRICAL CURRENT TO SAID ELECTRICCIRCUITRY IN THE WASHING MACHINE TO BE INTERRUPTED IN THE PRESENCE OF AWATER LEVER IN SAID STANDPIPE EXCEEDING SAID PREDETERMINED LEVEL AND CUTOFF THE WATER DISCHARGE INTO SAID STAND-PIPE BY SAID DRAIN TUBE.